Obituary of Janet Ingersoll
Early on the morning of June 17, 2021 with her son and husband at her side, Janet Lynn (Ryder) Ingersoll slipped quietly from the bed of suffering she had endured for many months, to the newness of eternal life in the presence of her Lord and her loved ones awaiting. Although she had experienced good health her entire life, she suffered courageously and gracefully in her final months.
Born in Moncton, NB in September, 1954, Janet spent a fun filled childhood there, and then met her husband of 46 years at Beulah Camp. Their ministry together included working with musical teams at Kingswood University, ministry at the Moncton Wesleyan Church overseeing the Living Christmas Tree for 10 years, pastoral ministry at Sussex Wesleyan Church, the establishment of a camping ministry on Catons Island, and over 20 years pastoral ministry at Kings Church, Quispamsis. Throughout this time Janet taught private piano lessons, and mentored numerous young musicians in worship ministry, large musical productions and creative weekly worship gatherings. Don and Janet ministered together at conferences, camps and churches all across the eastern US and central and eastern Canada. The hours she sat at the keyboard serving in the background were countless. Janet’s amazing smile and her guileless love for people granted her an incredible number of friends who faithfully prayed for her during her difficult illness. Janet was a woman devoted to prayer who had a lifelong passion for the Word of God. Her Bibles were worn and underlined, and she loved to discuss her many questions and thoughts about the Christian life.
Janet loved to laugh, and she worked hard to include everyone around in the good time she was enjoying. She had a knack for noticing the overlooked and knew no other way to live but to put others ahead of herself. Throughout her life she delighted in celebrating with her family when they skied, snowmobiled, biked, boated, camped, fished and traveled. She was never happier than when on the road. After beginning their love affair at Beulah Camp, Janet’s husband built her a retirement home right there on the river, where she loved being among friends and family. Now she lives in splendour in the real “Beulah Land”.
Janet is survived by her husband Don, her beloved son Brad, his cherished wife Rachel and her grandchildren Colton and Cailyn who were her world. Also surviving is her amazing 99 year old mother Myrtle Ryder , her sister and best friend Shirley(Ross) DeMerchant, as well as a large extended family of in laws, cousins, nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her beloved father Lorne, her older sister Lorna who she will meet for the first time in heaven, and her precious daughter Lindsay.
Her family is indebted to her many friends who prayed and supported Janet and Don in loving and practical ways, her sister- in- law Joanne LeRoy who attended her affectionately during her illness, and to the many compassionate health professionals who cared for her relentlessly.
It should be noted that, like so many others, her family must regrettably lament the unjust manner in which the covid rules and their heartless interpretation by some in charge, have made the fight to care for her and see her recover filled with undue hardship. This has been unacceptable by any standard.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). A service celebrating her life will be held Sunday July 4 at 3:00 pm in the Worship Centre of Kings Church Quispamsis. Those who would like to attend the service can preregister at https://kingschurchcan.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/914281. A livestream of the service will be available at https://control.resi.io/webplayer/video.html?id=e48f8223-736e-4204-8cc3-aa2b2986e89d . Visitation will take place at the church Saturday July 3, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm and Sunday July 4, 1-2:30 pm. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, remembrances in Janet’s memory may be made to Kings Church or Catons Island. www.BrenansFH.com.
